Management Team
Find out more about the people who manage the Biosciences Institute.
Professor Frank Sargent,
Institute Dean
Frank Sargent is Dean of the Biosciences Institute and Professor of Microbial Biotechnology. His research takes a broad view of bacterial physiology, including bioenergetics, membrane biology, and protein targeting and secretion. He also has more specific interests in metalloproteins, especially hydrogenases, and in studying their structure, function and potential applications. As NUBI Dean, Frank has oversight of all the diverse array of research being conducted in the Institute, is heavily involved in preparations for REF2029, and has a particular interest in developing the research-teaching interface and in championing research-led and research-based teaching. In the outside world Frank is the Honorary Treasurer of The Biochemical Society and is Deputy Chair of the BBSRC Fellowships Committee. In his spare time Frank is attempting to munch his way through all the Michelin-starred restaurants in The North.
Professor Andrew Filby,
Deputy Institute Dean
Andrew Filby is a Professor of Practice in Enabling Biomedical Technologies; the first technician to be promoted to this role in the UK. He is focused on how technology can enable new discoveries in biological and biomedical research toward clear societal benefits with particular emphasis on the development and application of single cell technologies. He leads the Innovation, Methodology and Application (IMA) cross faculty research Theme and also co-directs the Newcastle university Centre of Research Excellence (NUCoRE) in Biomedical Engineering. Andy is a passionate advocate for team science and healthy research culture advocating for the roles of technical staff in research and teaching. Externally he co-chairs the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy (UK-ITSS) Technical Council and sits on several funding panels including the MRC mid-level equipment call. Outside of work Andy enjoys cooking, building remote control cars and Warhammer.
Professor John Sayer,
Deputy Institute Dean
John Sayer is a Clinical Professor of Renal Medicine. His research focuses on inherited kidney diseases, with a focus on cystic kidney diseases and renal ciliopathies. He utilises both cellular and animal models to explore molecular genetics, mechanisms of disease and therapeutics. He is the lead of a MRC Rare Disease Node called CILIAREN, a renal ciliopathies national network. His clinical interests map directly to his research interests and he manages patients with a wide range of disorders including cystic kidney disease, tubulopathies and kidney stone disorders. Within the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust he runs a regional renal genetics clinic and a family renal genetics clinic. For recreation, he enjoys swimming, running and exploring the local coastline.
Rebecca Marshall, Institute Operations Manager
Rebecca’s role involves her working with the Dean and Deputy Deans of the Biosciences Institute to lead and manage the operations of the Institute, and to support and enhance the Institutes strategic objectives.
She joined the Institute in May 2023, following a career in business and hospitality management.
In her free time, Rebecca likes skiing, spending time with friends and going for long walks in Northumberland.
Dr Rebecca Kenyon, Technical Manager
Rebecca Kenyon provides Management of Technical Services and Infra structure for the institute and is Safety Officer for the Biosciences Institute. She has worked at the university for many years in a variety of roles supporting research services activity and specialist technical facilities. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and baking.
Kate Gorman-Dunn, Finance Business Partner
Kate Gorman-Dunn is a chartered Global Management accountant. As the Finance Business Partner for the Bioscience Institute she is the “go to person” and point of contact for financial queries, advice and reports for all staff in the Institute (non-RES accounts). In her personal time she is family oriented and loves to travel and eat.
Lynne Hills, People Services Advisor
Lynne is a People Services Advisor supporting the Biosciences Institute with all 'people related' queries, from recruitment all the way to retirement, and everything in between.
She started working at Newcastle University in December 2023, following a career in HR with Barnardo’s. She is a member of the CIPD and studied her Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management in 2004.
In her spare time, Lynne enjoys visiting the Northumberland coastline.
